Ogun pastor denies being hypnotised in shrine

The pastor who was allegedly transfixed in a shrine in Ketu community, Ayetoro, in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Wale Fagbire, has denied being struck by idols while destroying the shrine.

At a press conference on Thursday convened by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ogun State, Fagbire told journalists that he followed a divine instruction he got in a revelation.

Fagbire, who presides over Christ Apostolic Church, (Ona-Iye) in Ayetoro, said he was instructed not to utter a word after destroying the shrines, adding that he was motionless after the ‘divine assignment.’

 

The embattled pastor had on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, told his congregation that he was directed by God to destroy all the shrines in Ketu community.

But, in his attempts to destroy the shrines, he allegedly got stuck in the first set of shrines he entered, prompting people in the area to raise the alarm.

 

Fagbire said he deliberately waited in the shrines for the idol worshippers to see him.

He said, “God told me that I should go to the shrines to bring out those things for the liberation of Ayetoro. God told me to do three things in the shrines.

“That when I get there, I should evacuate, step aside and watch the film. He said I should not say anything when people come out to see me. So, I did as instructed by God on that day.

“I got there around 5am and after I took out those things, God told me to wait and stay and I did.

“God also told me to keep quiet. It was not their gods that held me; it was the idol worshippers that struck me with their charms.

“When I was taken to the palace, I told them that all my actions were directed by God and not human beings or the church of God. Although, they tried many charms on me, none was effective. I am healthy. I followed the instruction of God that I should be quiet and they also know the truth.”

He said when he was taken to the palace of the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdulaziz, he narrated what happened.

Reacting to the report, the state Chairman of CAN, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, said media report of the incident was exaggerated, adding that the briefing was to clear the misconceptions.

The Regional Coordinator of Yewa/Awori, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apostle Lola Dada, alleged that the idol worshippers asked the pastor’s family to contribute N300,000 while the CAN was asked to pay N200,000, to appease the gods.

Dada, who spoke for the state CAN chairman, said, “He (Pastor Fagbire) was handed over to the police and the police charged the case to court.

“The idol worshipers withdrew the case from the court; they said they cannot take the son of their late Oba to court and the case was withdrawn the same day.”

He alleged that the idol worshippers went to Jesus Triumphant Army Church at Ayetoro which was headed by Pastor Wale Olojede, because the church was close to the shrines Fagbire destroyed.

He said, “They said it was the church that encouraged him to do what he did.

“So, the idol worshippers transferred the aggression to the church. They barricaded the church with sacrifice and palm fronds, but the Christian youths removed them.

“They asked the family of the pastor to pay N300,000 while CAN should bring N200,000 for the sacrifice to appease their gods, but, no money was given to them and peace has returned to the town.”

The police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed that the traditionalists had withdrawn the case.

Culled from The Punch News

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Pastor Adeboye’s Love Life

Pas. Adeboye and wife

The love story of the quintessential General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, popularly known as Daddy G.O. and his darling wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye is one that would go down in history as one of the most romantic love stories ever.

Daddy G.O. has not only proved that having God at the centre of your life is key but he has also proved that real men still exist. As they celebrate the faithfulness of God on their 49th anniversary this year, here are 20 things you would never believe Daddy G.O. does:

Adeboye married twice. Not what you’re thinking. He had a traditional marriage first then a white wedding in church about two years after.

Adeboye couldn’t afford a wedding ring then. So he promised his wife later that she would never lack anything and has since kept that promise.

When Adeboye could finally afford a wedding ring, he refused to buy or wear one. He also mandated his last son, Adeleke Adeboye, to do same.

Adeboye wouldn’t eat food or drink anywhere his wife doesn’t approve first.

Adeboye prefers his meals freshly cooked daily.

Adeboye expects his wife to fast with him when he is fasting. (We guess this saves on food expenses.)

Adeboye eats dinner between 4-00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. and that’s it for the day.

Adeboye sometimes goes into the kitchen to give moral support and taste the food. He also advises on which food needs more seasoning or salt.

At least three times every year, Adeboye leaves his whole family for about five days—no phone calls, no sex, no distractions—even his wife is not allowed around him. (We all know whose face he goes to seek.)

Adeboye used to be fat; his weight was so disturbing that his wife begged him to do something about it.

Adeboye started making efforts toward reducing his weight by totally avoiding fizzy drinks and alcohol. Now, he only drinks water, fresh fruit juice and tea.

Adeboye would never leave Nigeria and is never more than a 2-hours’ drive or flight away from his wife on the month of her birthday. This is one of the promises he made to her when they got married.

Adeboye still gives monthly household expenses fees to his wife till date. This even increases year by year as inflation goes up.

Adeboye also gives his wife monthly self-maintenance allowance.

When he is at home, Adeboye kisses his wife every morning and prays for her even before coming out to see anyone else.

Adeboye always buys marching watches, suit cases. Everything he needs to get, he always makes sure he gets her own version of it.

Adeboye always puts his wife first before his children. Besides, they will and have all left home anyway.

Adeboye has never stopped appreciating his wife for her sacrifice over the years and putting her dreams on hold so he could become who he is today hence he never leaves her behind in anything and everything he does.

How Adeboye’s marriage teachings caused stir

The ongoing annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, on Tuesday, received enormous publicity. The publicity, however, came in a controversial manner.

The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, in a message on marriage, stirred a widespread debate on social media, with thousands taking to the Internet to protest or support his positions on the categories of people Christians should not marry.

Adeboye, who is fondly called Daddy G.O. by members of his church, advised a congregation of bachelors and spinsters at the convention to avoid marrying certain individuals in order to enjoy their marriages.

 

Videos of the teachings, which were uploaded on different social media sites, received huge ‘share’.

 

The pastor urged bachelors to shun ladies who could not pray “non-stop” for at least an hour. He also advised them against marrying “lazy” women as well as those who could not cook.

 

The cooking aspect particularly caught the attention of feminists. They took protested the pastor’s remark, saying they were not supposed to be consigned to kitchens just because they were women.

 

Adeboye also warned ladies against accepting marriage proposals by “jobless” bachelors. He said those who could not earn incomes should not marry.

A social media activist, Asuquo Ulo, said the teachings were part of unacceptable thinking that characterised the age.

The tweeter disagreed with the cleric’s position, saying “marriage is really beyond jobs, cooking and prayers”.

As far as Chinye Onwordi, a Twitter user, is concerned, Adeboye’s advice had solved a persisting puzzle on the social media.

“Whether Nigerian ladies agree to cook when they marry or not, Adeboye has spoken the truth nobody should shy away from,” he tweeted.

One Ahmed Isah also wrote, “Adeboye, we thank you for ending this long debate. You spoke from a spiritual realm, not as a mere mortal.”

As of Tuesday evening, many sites had unveiled online polls with a view to assessing the acceptability of Adeboye’s marriage ‘prescriptions’.

In one of the videos, Adeboye advised, “Marry a prayer warrior! Don’t marry any girl who cannot pray for one hour non-stop. Don’t marry a girl who is lazy! If she is lazy when she is single, what will happen if she is married?”

In another one, he warned, “Don’t marry a man who has no job. Before God gave Adam Eve, he gave him a job. He said, ‘This is the garden, keep it.’ So when anybody comes to you and say, ‘Sister, thus saith the Lord, you are going to be the star in my firmament,’ ask him — ‘What is your job?’

“If he tells you he is a contractor, ask him to show you evidence of all the contracts he has done because the contract he is talking about is you. He wants to live off you.

“Don’t be a fool. If he hasn’t got a steady income, don’t marry him. A man is to provide for the house and not the other way round. If he has no income, he should not marry. Those who do not work should not eat. And if they can’t eat, they can’t even marry.”

Adeboye trended widely on social media platforms as the issues he raised were scrutinised by his fans and foes. The videos became the toast of members of the online community.

Adeboye’s popularity rating, by online metrics, soared. He also enjoyed a huge Google search, as bloggers dissected thousands of comments for catchy headlines for their posts.

 

Culled from The Punch newspaper,Nigeria

Mbaka attacks Buhari, says Nigerians may not vote for him in 2019

Enugu Catholic priest, and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians will not vote for him in 2019 if he does not address the high level of hunger and suffering  in the country.

Mbaka has been one of Buhari’s most vocal supporters since he asked Nigerians to reject the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2015 presidential pol and predicted Buhari’s victory.

But, in a surprising turn of events, Mbaka attacked Buhari in a recent message, details of which were obtained by journalists on Tuesday night.

 

In the message, Mbaka noted that there was too much suffering in the country, and faulted the President for not appointing the right people.

 

He also accused the President of listening to the wrong advice.

 

The message partly read, “The issue is that Mbaka is speaking as the Spirit leads him – there is hunger everywhere.  My job is to tell leaders the truth, the landlords are crying, the tenants are lamenting, sellers are crying, buyers are lamenting – there is hunger on the streets.

 

“I can’t keep quiet when things are going wrong.

“I am telling the President to look around him and know those who are advising him rightly and those who are telling him that there is no trouble.

“The President should know that there is trouble – if things continue like this, in the next election, nobody will vote for him.

“Whether they like it or not, I am speaking the raw truth.

“If the President should have somebody like me and he cannot be talking with me, then there is a problem.

“There is a problem somewhere; somebody who can advise you without asking for anything and he is representing the poor masses in the country and he won’t tell you lies.

“He will praise you when you are doing well and when you are not doing well, he will look at you in the face and tell you.”

Continuing, he said, “I don’t need the President; I need God, I need the Holy Spirit, I need Jesus; there is suffering everywhere, people are suffering.

“To feed is now a problem, and an hungry man is an angry man.

“Hunger and anger will lead to danger.

“So, let him know whether he can do away with some advisers around him and bring in the people who are experts in economic revamp.

“There are people who are experts in that; let them begin to empower people, people are not empowered, they are still walking around in vicious circles, planning and planning and planning.”

Mbaka said there were  no spaces left in mortuaries across the country.

“Hunger is everywhere, many neighbours don’t eat again, many are being attacked by hunger, hunger is becoming a normal thing and there are people responsible for this.

“Mortuary and ambulance business is now thriving because many cannot afford drugs.

“In today’s Nigeria, many are becoming hawkers, who will buy from you, with what?

“Everyday, more pipelines  are being blown, the Avengers are at work and up till now, there is no solution.

“You know when certain things begin to happen, you begin to ask some questions, somebody like me will begin to ask – when will this end?

“If it continues in the next three months, there will be no money to pay salaries – the vicious effect is disastrous and when salaries cannot be paid, teachers will come home, students will stop going to school, there will be more kidnappings, more hooliganism, more armed robbery, more prostitution, immorality will be on the increase.”

He urged Buhari to sit up and stop going after the leadership of the Senate.

Mbaka equally bemoaned the continuous depreciation in the value of the naira.

“So, the President should sit up – there is a red light blinking on the country.

“The issue of Saraki and Ekweremadu, nobody wants to listen to such stories any more, whether Saraki is the President of the Senate or Ekweremadu is not this or that, the countrymen are tired of such stories.

“We need economic experts, gurus, sages that are sincere, who can come in and think about our economic revamp and judicial reformation.”

 

CUlled from The Punch,Nigeria

Muslim doctor in Pakistan receives death threats after saving life of dying Christian man

A Muslim medical doctor from Pakistan tended to a dying Christian man at the hospital, and got harassed and received death threats because of it.
The unnamed doctor said the Christian man arrived at the hospital, badly needing hemodialysis.
Because no one else was providing him the care he needed, the doctor gave him the dialysis using medicine donated to the hospital through a form of Islamic alms-giving called zakaat

Immediately after administering the medicine, a nurse got angry at him because the patient turned out to be a Christian, which means the patient was forbidden from receiving or using Islamic alms.

The doctor explained he wasn't aware of such regulations and that he didn't know the man was a Christian. He bought new medicine to replace what he used, hoping it would put an end to the controversy.
"They attributed my lack of knowledge about the alms laws to the fact that I belong to a minority Muslim sect," the doctor wrote on The Guardian.
He didn't know it was just the beginning of what was going to be a string of harassments and death threats that was coming his way.
His department conducted an inquiry about the situation, during which he was discriminated against. Furthermore, he earned the ire of an organization that gives donations to the hospital.
"The workplace discrimination gave way to threatening phone calls and vandalism of my car and bike," he said in the article. "I was threatened with death at a medical conference hosted by the chair of the same NGO which had complained about me."
To make matters worse, the people he offended discovered he was living in Pakistan alone with his wife because his family had all migrated to the U.S.
This made him feel vulnerable. Eventually, he and his wife decided to seek political asylum in the U.S., where they are now staying.
"Humanity is the core of any religion," he concluded. "I faced backlash that would change my life forever. But, in the name of humanity, I deem that it was all worth it."
Religious persecution in Pakistan is high. Converting a Muslim person to another faith is a capital crime, and killing someone who left the Muslim faith is considered as an honor, a report said.
Pakistan ranks sixth in Open Doors' World Watch List, which identifies the countries where Christians are most persecuted. Islamic extremism is the driving force behind the persecution.

North Korea bans materials with Christian cross markings

 

 Materials and goods bearing a symbol that looks like the Christian cross are no longer allowed in North Korea.
Border guards will immediately confiscate goods that have such markings, even those that seem innocent, such as women's clothes and accessories that have cross-like designs.

 "These products are more likely to be confiscated during customs checks," a source from Pyongyang told Radio Free Asia. "Some designs on women's clothing can look a lot like a cross, depending on who is looking at it. Cross designs also appear on women's hairpins and hair bands and on men's neckties."
The local source, who sold goods brought in from China, added that prior to the new regulation, they only inspected their goods for labels showing they came from South Korea, which the North considers as its rival.

Now they also had to check if the items they sold had markings similar to a cross.
This report was verified by another source from North Hamgyong, who said customs officers seized goods that have a cross mark.
Unfortunately, if their goods are confiscated, they couldn't complain anywhere, the source said.
The source also reported that people wearing accessories that appear to have the cross symbol are taken by authorities.
Christians are highly persecuted in North Korea. The country, for the last 14 years, has taken the number one spot on the list of countries where Christians experience extreme persecution, according to Open Doors, an organization supporting persecuted Christians worldwide.
The persecution in the country is so severe that even students writing the plus sign must ensure that the vertical and horizontal lines have the same length. A longer vertical line would make the symbol look like a cross.
A 2016 report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said that North Korea, with a "deplorable" record in human rights, is one of the "most repressive regimes" in the world.
Christians are viewed as a threat, that's why the government "reserves its most severe persecution" for them.
Those who are caught praying and singing worship songs are jailed or sent to labor camps, where they are treated more harshly than other prisoners.
There are "tens of thousands of Christians" suffering in labor camps all over North Korea, the report said.

Culled from The Christian Times

How Christians can help heal the nation

 

Evangelist Anne Graham Lotz enumerated at least four ways ordinary righteous people can do in the face of the threatening anarchy that's grappled the nation.
The daughter of the renowned preacher, Billy Graham, shared her thoughts on her blog Monday as she watched the violent scenes that have been playing out in the U.S. for the last weeks. These included the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of white police officers and the targeted deaths and shootings of white cops by African-Americans.

 "What are we to do? Is there anything ordinary, good people can do?" Lotz penned down her own questions for the Lord.
The 68-year-old founder of AnGel Ministries and author of 11 books said the answers then came to her when she prayed.

Prayer, Lotz said, would be the first thing Christians can do right away.
She quoted Paul who challenged fellow believers in Ephesians 6:18, "With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying."
"It's time for you and me to establish a set-aside time of consistent, daily prayer," said Lotz.
Even as Lotz believed that America's wicked ways – particularly its three national sins she listed as abortion, abandonment of Israel, and the homosexuality agenda – have brought it to "deep, deep trouble," she asserted that America's still "not too far gone" and can still return to God through prayers.
Next, Lotz urged Christians to "pick up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" just as instructed by Ephesians 6:17. She added that reading God's Word every day would strengthen one's faith.
"But don't just read it," said Lotz and added, "Apply it. Obey it. Live it out."
The third thing Christians can do would be to "pursue righteousness" which translates to standing up for the "right thing" or the values of justice, truth, kindness and love.
Finally, Lotz reminded Christians of their Great Commission to proclaim Jesus.
"Be ready at a moment's notice to share the Gospel and give a reason for the Hope that is within you," she said.
For her parting words, Lotz urged Christians not to let evil win by doing nothing.
"Please," she implored. "Don't do nothing. Do something!"
Culled from the Christian Times

Gunmen abduct RCCG pastor during Sunday service

 

 There was panic at a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at Santos bus stop in the Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Sunday after  some gunmen walked in and abducted the pastor during the service.

PUNCH  learnt that the pastor, identified only as Bajomo, was whisked away by the gunmen, who came to the church as if they were new members.

Our correspondent learnt that the pastor, who was abducted around 7am, was the first to reach the parish and was preparing for a workers’ meeting which usually preceded the Sunday service.

It was gathered that when the other members arrived at the church, the pastor was nowhere to be found.

 Our correspondent gathered that the matter was reported at the Owutu Police Division.

A witness, who identified herself only as Esther, said the gunmen wore attractive clothes as if they had come for the church service.

She said, “The pastor came earlier around 7am to prepare for a workers’ meeting. The shocking thing was that the men walked in quietly like new members.

“They dressed like people who had come to church. They had Bibles with them. They did not shoot or display any weapon. It was when they got to the pastor that they brought out their guns and ordered him to come with them.

 “The pastor got to the church before anyone else and only three members had arrived before the abduction.

“We discovered after they had left that they were Ijaw militants. They have taken away our pastor. Some members, after the incident, went to the pastor’s house to inform his family members.

“It is a sad occurrence in our area that residents are being abducted, raped, assaulted and even killed every day. It is a problem that has been left to become a calamity.

“I think the state government and the police really need to do something about these recurring incidents. We are at the mercy of the Ijaw boys.”

Our correspondent learnt that the Sunday service did not hold at the parish as a result of the pastor’s abduction.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said she would get back to our correspondent on the matter.

She, however, had yet to get back as of press time.

The RCCG Head, Media and Public Relations, Pastor Segun Adegbiji, confirmed the abduction.

He said the church would invite God’s anger on those who troubled its members and pastors.

He said, “RCCG will not take abduction or murder of our pastors and members any more.

Culled from The Punch,Nigeria

Priest killed in France church attack

A priest was killed on Tuesday after a hostage situation at a church near the northern French city of Rouen, a police source said.

The French interior ministry said that two hostage-takers were “neutralised” in the attack in the town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

French President Francois Hollande and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve were on their way to the scene, their offices said.
The incident comes as France remains on high alert nearly two weeks after Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel mowed down a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in the southern city of Nice, killing 84 and injuring over 300.

The attack was the third major strike on France in 18 months and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

Murdered Redeemed preacher for burial on her birthday

About two weeks after her assassination by alleged Islamic fundamentalists in Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, the family of the late Eunice Olawale Elisha on Tuesday announced that the deceased would be buried on July 23, 2016.

A brother to the deceased, Mr. Akun Oluwadare, told journalists that the family had concluded arrangement to properly bury her on July 23, a day that “coincided with her birthday celebration.”

The 42-year-old mother of seven and pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was murdered while preaching the gospel of Christ at Gbazango-West area of Kubwa.

 

Oluwadare said, “The Christian wake will come up on Friday, July 22 by 5pm at the RCCG Provincial Headquarters, Phase Three, Kubwa. The burial service is fixed for Saturday, July 23, which coincided with her birthday by 12pm at the same venue. Interment will follow immediately at Gudu Cemetry, Abuja.”

 

.

 

 

Hijab: Court strikes out CAN’s application for stay of execution

  An Osun State High Court has struck out the application for stay of execution filed by the Christian Association of Nigeria against the judgment which allowed Muslim students to wear hijab in all public schools in the state.
Justice Jide Falola on Tuesday struck out the application following the filing of another stay of execution before the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure by the CAN.
Counsel for CAN,  Ayo Laogun, informed the court that his client had filed a fresh application for stay of execution before the Court of Appeal, Akure

He applied to withdraw the application for stay of execution, saying, “in view of Order 4 Rules 10 & 11 of the Court of Appeal Rules 2011, the lower court can not take the application

Counsel for the 1st to 5th respondents, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Ministry of Education and three others, Mr. Jide Obisakin, did not raise any objection to the withdrawal of the application.


The judge subsequently struck out the case.
Meanwhile, the  Chairman of the CAN in the state,  Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, has called on Christians across the state to be law-abiding pending the determination of the case before the appellate court.
He said he wanted the state government to ensure that status-quo was  maintained in the state public schools.
Ogundiya said the CAN would pursue the matter to a logical conclusion and urged his members to be “vigilant and prayerful for a successful conclusion of the suit at the appellate court.”

He said he wanted the state government to ensure that status-quo was  maintained in the state public schools.
Ogundiya said the CAN would pursue the matter to a logical conclusion and urged his members to be “vigilant and prayerful for a successful conclusion of the suit at the appellate court.”
Justice Falola had on July 8 advised lawyers of the two parties in the case to warn their clients against destabilising the judiciary.
Falola said, “I want to draw your attention to an issue, I want you lawyers to admonish your clients not to use religion to destabilise the judiciary. Judges have religions they chose to have and some don’t have.
“Shopping for a particular type of judge to handle your case based on their religions is deplorable and should be condemned. Judiciary is a temple without bias. We deal with the law and religions are dropped at the gate of the courts.
“It is easy for Nigerians to resort to blackmail whenever things don’t happen the way they want them to happen.”

Culled from The Punch,Nigeria

Adeboye invites Abuja Christians for Prayers

The General-Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has invited all Christians in Abuja to attend a special prayer programme for Nigeria.

 The G.O gave the invitation at the just-concluded monthly non-denominational programme, organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, tagged Divine Encounter, held at the National Stadium, Abuja.
 
Mounting the podium, Adeboye asked all present to note the date and urged them to attend the all-important prayers for the country.
 He said the special national prayers will be held on Thursday, July 21^st, 2016 at the National Stadium, Abuja. The time is 5pm.
Christians all over Abuja, especially Redeemers are enjoined to attend.

 It is our role to pray for the peace of our Jerusalem. Nigeria is our Jerusalem let us all show up to pray for Nigeria and as we do so God will answer all our personal prayers in Jesus’ name .

 

Adeboye, Olawale Pray for Killers of Abuja Preacher

Just when everybody, including the National Assembly, was clamouring for justice and punishment for the killers of the Abuja preacher, late Mrs. Eunice Olawale, if found. The RCCG’s G.O, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, has said the Church did not want justice for its slain member.
Adeboye said the Church was only interested in the salvation of the souls of the killers.
 Eunice, a 42-year-old woman, was murdered while preaching the gospel in kubwa, Abuja around 5am on Saturday.

 Adeboye, who was on his way to Lagos after a crusade in Abuja, paid a condolence visit to the family at their Gbazango Estate, Kubwa.

  While praying for the family of the deceased, Adeboye said, “Lord, we just want to say thank you. We pray that you keep this family in your hands and that you will be with them. We pray you will comfort and defend them. They too will finish well.

 Praying further, he said, “We are praying that all the perpetrators of this crime will be found. We are not asking for justice; we are only praying that you will save their souls. It will be glorious if they can come and testify that before we were murderers but now we are pastors”.
 Also, the widower of late Mrs. Eunice Olawale has shown that he or the family is not interested in justice for the killers of his wife.

 Olawale, who said this while narrating to newsmen how he got wind of his wife’s death, said “I see her as a martyr and she died for Christ and whether the people are caught or not, they should be forgiven”.

 He went further to pray for them, the same way the General-Overseer had done, saying, “My prayer is that if they can accept Christ that will be a gain for Christ”.

What a display of forgiveness even in the most trying moment of family grief.

That is a lesson for all Christians that no matter what, we should always be ready to forgive. Forgiveness is one of the virtues of a good Christian.

Kumuyi urges Nigerians not to lose hope in Buhari

Pst.Kumuyi

The General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.
 
The Deeper Life Church leader spoke during a visit to the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) national headquarters, early this month.
 
Kumuyi said he was hopeful that President Buhari was on the right track to reposition the nation’s economy.

 He said although the country might be passing through the worst of times, there are strong reasons not to lose hope in the President, because God is on the throne.

 He added that there was always light at the end of the tunnel. He said he is optimistic that the President Buhari-led Federal Government is focused and his cabinet knows what they are doing.

 Pastor Kumuyi  who spoke earlier in June, at a press conference held at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, just before the crusade tagged ‘’Night of Extra-ordinary Wonders’’, expressed optimism that things would turn around for good in Nigeria very soon.

 The Church leader, who said, he did not think Nigerians should lose hope, because there is God in heaven who answers prayers, informed that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior wanted the best for everyone, and that there were some Nigerians who are praying and believe that God answers prayers and so people should not lose hope in Nigeria as thing were still going to turn around.

 
It would be recalled that Pastor E.A Adeboye, earlier in the year, declared that though the beginning of the year might be tough, the latter part of the year would witness a positive turn-around for the country.
 So, don’t lose hope .The much-awaited turn-around for individual and the country is just around the corner.

Ekiti Govt Shut Seven Catholic Schools, as Church Sues Govt

 Ekiti State Government has shut seven schools run by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti for failure to pay the Education Development Levy.

Under the new tax regime, pupils in primary and secondary schools are to pay N500 and N1,000, respectively.

The catholic schools had requested the government to exclude its schools from the payment, a request that was rejected.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, who broke the news in Ado Ekiti, accused the state government of being insensitive by shutting the schools when students were preparing for their National Examinations Council Examinations

Ajakaye said, “I am concerned about the propriety of imposing any development levy on pupils and students in Catholic mission schools in Ekiti State, moreover when our schools are paying various levies and taxes demanded by both the local and state governments respectively.

“The closure of the schools is very painful personally to me. They are writing exams and government is closing down their schools. That is insensitivity.”

The Diocese operates 15 primary and seven secondary schools in the state.

Confirming the development, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Jide Egunjobi, said, “It is true we shut the catholic schools that failed to pay. Some of them have paid and are operational. We only shut those that refused to pay.

“We all agreed to the development levy at the education summit, so, there is no going back.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese has sued the Ekiti State Government for imposing education development levies on pupils in its primary and secondary schools.

In an originating summons filed at Ekiti State High Court by the Incorporated Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, the plaintiff asked the court to declare that imposition of levies as illegal, unconstitutional and null and void.

It contended that the action violated Section 2 of Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and Section 19 of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Law.

The defendants are the Attorney General of Ekiti State and the Commissioner for Education.

The Church asked the court to determine “whether every child of primary school and junior secondary school age in Ekiti State is not entitled to free and compulsory basic education under Section 2 of Compulsory Free Universal Education Act, 2004 and Section 19 of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board Law.”

“If the imposition of education development levy or any tax or levy on pupils and schools in Ekiti State, including the claimants schools, by the defendants, does not violate Section 2 of Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and Section 19 of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Law.

“Whether the defendants could impose education development levy or tax on pupils and schools “without a law validly passed by the Ekiti State House of Assembly” in view of some sections of the Nigerian constitution.”

While praying the court to declare that the defendants could not impose education development levy or tax on pupils and schools, the palintiff also sought an order restraining the defendants from further demand of the levy.

The Church also sought an order of mandatory injunction directing the defendants to endorse and approve the applications of students of its schools for the 2016 NECO examination pending the determination of the substantive case.

It also sought a similar order for its pupils in the various primary schools run by the church in Ekiti Diocese.

Culled from Punch Newspaper,Nigeria

Two American missionaries murdered, dumped in bushes outside a church in Jamaica

 

 Two U.S. missionaries Randy Hentzel and Harold Nichols, were found slain on April 30 in Kingston, Jamaica - a rural area m that has long struggled with high rates of violent crime.

The battered bodies of the missionaries, who lived and worked in Jamaica for a Pennsylvania-based religious organization called Teams for Medical Missions, were found in separate areas of St. Mary parish.

The two men and their families did evangelism, Bible ministry and built homes for the less privileged. They were reportedly murdered on their way to check on the foundation of a house they were building for an impoverished family.

There have been no arrests made in connection to the case so far and the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica said officials were in touch with the victims' families and the ambassador had contacted the leadership of the island's security establishment

Osinbajo shares his journey to becoming Nigeria's Vice President

Prof.Osinbajo

  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday April 30th, shared the journey that led him to become the Vice President of Nigeria. Speaking at the Platform Abuja, Osinbajo narrated how his drive for integrity and forthrightness led him and some others to form a group of concerned professionals that will speak against corruption. According to Vanguard, Osinbajo also narrated his clash with the Abacha government and how providence brought him and Buhari together as running mates

“Permit me to begin (the speech) with a story about myself. All my adult life, I have always believed that our country was performing far below its potentialities, in practically every aspect of life. In governance, corruption was always so outrageous that it made the majority poor and development almost impossible. Law and order was always a problem, usually no consequence for wrong-doing. Doing business and even our daily existence have always been difficult, no power, no fuel. Getting anything done in government establishments, a nightmare of delay and extortion. So as a conscious decision, I joined various pressure groups. From human rights groups to good governance advocacy groups. In 1995, I co- founded an organization called Integrity, an anti-corruption organization. I joined various think tanks and professional groups, including the Concerned Professionals. Under the Abacha regime we Concerned Professionals, one day gathered at Yaba Bus-stop and some were thoroughly beaten by Police and the Army. From that day on, people disappeared and did not show up again. I served as a two-term Attorney- General in Lagos State and pushed reforms in governance and the justice sector, I believed and continued to believe that the Nigerian people deserve better lives. In December 2014, the unexpected happened; I was nominated as Vice Presidential candidate to then General Muhammadu Buhari.”

Osinbajo recalled that he was still a young man when Buhari became head of State

“As a young university lecturer, then I was impressed by his, President Buhari’s single-minded fight against corruption and indiscipline. There was a serious war against indiscipline. For the first time, government held corrupt officers accountable. 30 years later, providence brought us together. A retired general now and a Professor of Law. We both believed that our country needed to change. We argued about how and what needed to be done. We reached consensus on many of the major issues. Certainly our country need a different set of values; a new way of doing business; an economy that is able to give opportunity to young people to work in their chosen professions and to build strong and profitable businesses. We knew that we had to provide social protection for the poorest and the most vulnerable. We recognised that innovation and change will be key, and that we must implement and not just talk about diversification of our economy. So we led our party’s campaign on that single, simple, but profound word, CHANGE! Nearly a year on- there are many problems and many have asked where is the change? Is this the change we voted for? Even some fifth columnists in our midst have suggested bring back corruption! “But let me just say here for the records that the government of Muhammadu Buhari is completely and irrevocably committed to change".

An example for the modern church – Part 1

Pastor Kumuyi

 Every church must aspire to be exemplary, to be a model Church, a church that is pleasing to God, a “crown of rejoicing and glory” to her ministers. Such a church exists in Thessalonica, in the early years of the New Testament. The church stood because of the divine work of grace, genuine conversion of its members, their lively faith, love and hope, patience and perseverance in persecution, their obedience and practical holiness, their well-known evangelistic zeal and focused expectation of Christ’s return for the saints.
Nothing is said about their large membership, financial strength and wealth, their political power or impressive position in the society or popularity in their community. Indeed, the Thessalonian Church was a persecuted church (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). What made the church great in God’s sight was their clear experience of salvation, sanctification, steadfastness, and unwavering commitment to the whole counsel of God as “taught of God” and as taught by the Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). They were teachable and their lives reflected what they had been taught of God and by the Apostle.
This second Epistle, our text today, was written some months after the first Epistle. The Apostle had prayed for their growth and he had also exhorted them to grow (1 Thessalonians 4:1,10). Now he commends them for growing exceedingly. He was really pleased with their progress and he wrote this Epistle to guide them into fuller revelation, while encouraging them to stand firm and remain faithful to the Lord in persecution and trials.
Although Silvanus and Timothy were co-workers with Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1: p19), he was the sole author of the Epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:5; 3: 17). Silvanus or Silas was a faithful missionary partner and he ministered effectively with Paul (Acts 15:22,27,32-34,40,41; 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 1:19). Timothy was Paul’s faithful son in the faith, who frequently served as his emissary and representative (1 Thessalonians 3: 1,2; 1 Corinthians 4: 17; 16: 10; Philippians 2: 19-24; 1 Timothy 1: 3). This team of supportive ministers working whole-heartedly and faithfully with Paul had raised up heavenly-minded churches in Thessalonica and in many other cities. The
Thessalonians had genuine repentance (Thessalonians 1:9) and were brought into vital union and relationship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).
“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Grace is God’s undeserved, unmerited favour to us. When we were sinners, enemies of God and enemies of righteousness, God in His grace granted us repentance and forgiveness (Acts 5:31). “By grace are ye saved.” We are “justified freely by His grace.” The “manifold grace of God” is available to all of us to keep us victorious in all circumstances. His manifold grace includes saving grace (Titus 2:11), sustaining grace (Hebrews 4: 16), supplicating grace (Zechariah 12: 10), sanctifying grace (Hebrews 10; 29), serving Grace (Hebrews 12:28), strengthening grace (2 Timothy 2: 1), sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9), great grace (Acts 4:33), more grace (James 4:6), super abundant Grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). We receive peace and grace from the same Source. From Christ and in Christ, abiding peace, abundant peace can always be ours.
Further Reading (King James Version): Thessalonians 1:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:1,2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 13:43; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17,18; Colossians 3:15-17; Philippians 4:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Romans 1: 16,17; 3:23-28; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:9, Ephesians 6:16; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 10:22, 35-39; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:9,10; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34,35; Romans 12:9,10; 13:8-10; 1 John 3:11-18; 5:2,3.
Culled from The Guardian Newspaper,Nigeria

Nigerian Clerics seek end to allocation of oil wells to individuals

 

 Council decries fuel scarcity, budget logjam, workers’ pay arrears
The Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria, yesterday, demanded stoppage to allocation of oil wells to individual Nigerians in line with the anti-corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Rising from its 34th yearly conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Prelate, Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche, said the exploration of oil should no longer be shrouded in secrecy.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the event, the clerics expressed concern over the persistent scarcity of petroleum products, especially petrol and charged the President to urgently appoint a substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources who would be answerable to him and not him assuming the role as such, according to them, “has proved counterproductive.”
“Mr. President has so much work to do for us and so should not be a Minister of Petroleum,” the council stated.
It also expressed concern over the menace of Fulani herdsmen, stressing that their activities were becoming worse than the onslaught of the Boko Haram insurgency, urging the Federal Government to take immediate action in establishing ranches rather than creating grazing zones.
On the 2016 Budget, the clerics charged the Executive and the Legislative arms of government to resolve the logjam so as to address the provision of social amenities for the general good of Nigerians. They frowned on the inability of some state governments to pay workers’ salaries in spite of the bailout funds.
“Some state governments are still owing their workers many months in arrears of salaries. The Federal Government must ascertain the appropriation of the bailout funds to the various states as a way of fighting impunity and corruption.”
The council also condemned the operation of joint account between the local councils and state governments, alleging that most governors pilfer council funds thus making grassroots development impossible.
While commending President Buhari over “his anti-corruption crusade, which would hopefully lead into a new era of accountability in governance and other spheres of life,” the clergies enjoined well-meaning citizens to support the President in the arduous task.
The clerics also appealed to government at all levels to look into the predicament of the girl-child, the rights of female children and all children in general, saying they were not comfortable with the situation where the abducted Chibok girls were yet to be rescued.

Culled from The Guardian newspaper,Nigeria

C

Don't Arrest Jonathan,Northern Christians Warn Buhari

Christians in the north, under the umbrella of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) 19 northern states and Abuja, yesterday cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against any plan to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan following the ongoing prosecution of officials who served under his administration.
The association explained that: “Every honest Nigerian can see that the popularity of the current administration is dwindling rapidly in many quarters both home and abroad. It is therefore not advisable to consider or plan to arrest former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as rumours have it.”

A statement issued by the association in Kaduna signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Reverend Joseph Hayab, stressed that: “Such a misadventure, if it is true, will set a wrong precedent, which could open doors for mischief makers to set this nation into disarray.
“What Nigerians need urgently is availability of fuel, electricity, prompt payment of salaries and the security of lives and property. If the alleged plan to arrest GEJ is meant to amuse the international community and prove that Nigeria is fighting corruption then we must not forget that in many parts of the world the former President is being celebrated as a hero of democracy for his decision to accept defeat at the 2015 elections, a gesture which is exceptional in Africa.”
He added: “The government must understand that there are personalities serving in the current administration who have been accused of corruption at various levels but since there are claims that nothing has been established against them, they walk free and are holding key and sensitive offices in the nation.
“Why should government imagine the arrest of a man like Jonathan who no crime is yet to be established against him? On this ground, CAN Northern States wishes to counsel that such an arrest, if carried out, has the propensity to lead to misinterpretation with grave consequence to peace and stability that could affect Nigeria economically and much more.”

Culled from The Guardian Newspaper,Nigeria

Al-Jazeerah Says 6 Million Muslims convert to Christianity in Africa yearly

 According to Al-Jazeerah’s interview with Sheikh Ahmad Al Katani, the president of The Companions Lighthouse for the Science of Islamic Law in Libya, In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity.
Everyday, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity in Africa alone so you can imagine the worldwide numbers. How many others of them convert to Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism or just plain atheism? MILLIONS.
After reporting this Al-Jazeerah has since removed the interview and details but we got the screencap from the original story.

 Islam, SVM News, 1 January, 2007: Millions of Muslim converts to Christianity celebrated Christmas throughout the world. According the reports of the various missionary organizations and news medias.

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The Salem Voice Ministries evangelizing Muslims in  India and many other Muslim nations. There are about 500 evangelists  ministering among Muslims  in different African, Middle East and Asian countries. A vast number of Muslims finding the truth and attaining Salvation of Jesus Christ day by day.

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‘More Muslims converted to faith in Jesus Christ over the past decade than at any other time in human history. A spiritual revolution is underway throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As a result, a record number of ex-Muslims are celebrating Christmas this year, despite intense persecution, assassinations, and widespread church bombings’. These are the words of Joel C. Rosenberg, the author of the New York Times best selling political thriller.

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He said, he and his wife and kids were lived in the Mideast for three months. During that time, he had the privilege of interviewing more than three dozen Arab and Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders throughout the region. The picture they paint is one of Christianity being dramatically resurrected in the region of its birth.

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More than 10,000 Muslims accepted Jesus Christ as their personal saviour throughout India during the last year. The Bible Society of India publishing thousands of New Testaments for the Muslims with their own terminology and vocabulary in different Indian languages and Tazi language. Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohamed, the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries is one of the key persons of the Bible translators of the Bible Society of India to reach the Gospel to the Muslims. He is in the midst of persecution. Recently also he was threatened by the extremists to count down his days along with the whole family.

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In Iraq, more than 5,000 Muslim converts to Christianity have been identified since the end of major combat operations, with 14 new churches opened in Baghdad, and dozens of new churches opened in Kurdistan, some of which have 500 to 800 members. Also, more than one million Bibles shipped into the country since 2003, and pastors report Iraqis are snatching them up so fast they constantly need more Bibles.

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Thousands of Muslims turned to Christ and worshiping Lord Jesus in Morocco, Somalia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Maldives.

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Around a million believed in Jesus over the past decade in Egypt. The Egyptian Bible Society used to sell about 3,000 copies of the JESUS film a year in the early 1990s. As per the figures taken from the Millennium campaign in 2000, they sold 600,000 copies, plus 750,000 copies of the individual cassette tapes (in Arabic) and about a half million copies of the Arabic New Testament. Ramez Atallah, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt informed Pastor Paul Ciniraj by email. “Egyptians are increasingly hungry for God’s Word,” he said.

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‘Last Christmas, I had the privilege of visiting the largest Christian congregation in the Middle East, which meets in an enormous cave on the outskirts of Cairo. Some 10,000 believers worship there every weekend. A prayer conference the church held in May 2005 drew some 20,000 believers’, Rosenberg told.

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There were only 17 Christians from Islam in Afghanistan on 2001. But there are more than 10,000 believers at present. Every week dozens of baptisms being held there.

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In 1990, there were only three known Christians in Kazakhstan and no Christians in Uzbekistan, but now more than 15,000 in Kazakhstan and 30, 000 in Uzbekistan. There were only 500 Christians in Iran on 1979, but more than one million Iranians believing Jesus Christ today, most of whom meet in underground house churches.

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In Sudan, more than one million have converted since 2000, and some 5 million have become Christians since the early 1990s, despite a radical Islamic regime and an on-going genocide that has killed more than 200,000. Seminaries are being held in caves to train pastors to shepherd the huge numbers of people coming to Christ. Why such a dramatic spiritual awakening? “People have seen real Islam, and they want Jesus instead,” one Sudanese evangelical leader said.

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In December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad al Qataani, a leading Saudi cleric, appeared on a live interview on Al-Jazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. “In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity,” Al Qataani warned. “Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity.”

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Stunned, the interviewer interrupted the cleric. “Hold on! Let me clarify. Do we have six million converting from Islam to Christianity?” Al Qataani repeated his assertion. “Every year,” the cleric confirmed, adding, “a tragedy has happened.”

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One of the most dramatic developments is that many Muslims — including Shiites in Iran and Iraq — are seeing dreams and visions of Jesus and thus coming into churches explaining that they have already converted and now need a Bible and guidance on how to follow Jesus. This is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy of Joel, “in the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days….And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Joel 2:28-32).

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Within few years all of the Muslim nations will come to Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. Satan knows it, that’s why he tries to discourage and destroy the Christian workers and the believers through the persecution and brutal murdering. But our Lord Jesus will have the final victory. Pastor Paul Ciniraj said.

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Idris Salahudeen, the Pastor of the Salem Voice Ministries said, hundreds upon hundreds ordinary Muslims believing Jesus and secretly converting into Christianity by seeing brutal behaviour of fundamentalists towards Christians. Maybe this torturing is a purification of nominal Christians to have more faith and courage.